This reflective essay, drawing on parallels with the adaptation of Buddhist mindfulness practice into the eight week mindfulness programme, offers one approach for the applications of Stoicism in Healthcare today. Patrick Ussher explores the parallels in this piece.

“MA Student Patrick Ussher reports on the recent Medication event held at the University of Exeter:

On the 22nd February, 2012, the University of Exeter’s Meditation Society held an exploratory session with the theme

Marcus Aurelius

‘Stoic Meditation: Learning from the Wisdom of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations.’ The session was led by Prof. Christopher Gill, professor of Ancient Thought in the Classics department, and by Patrick Ussher, MA Classics student. It was part of the University’s mental wellbeing day.

The session began with Prof. Gill outlining the core principles within Stoic psychology as well as a discussion on what Stoicism can offer today. On this, Prof. Gill put forward that Stoicism has ‘…a coherent and powerful philosophy of life, based on a connected framework for correlating ethics with psychology and our study of the natural universe.’ We then turned our attention to Marcus Aurelius and the meditative nature of his ongoing philosophical dialogue with himself, as well as the specific principles within those dialogues. As an example, Continue reading “An Evening of Stoic Meditation”

Supporting papers for the Exeter workshop, including a discussion of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and its possible usefulness for modern psychotherapy, from the workshop at Exeter University 5th-6th October. Delve in and post your thoughts!

In 2012, the Stoic Week was followed by the James Allen Girls’ School in London. You can read about their experience of it here. In 2013, schools all over the UK are taking part in Stoic Week, including Wellington, Shrewsbury, Brooke House Sixth Form College in London, St. Cuthberts, the James Allen Girls’ School, and also abroad, including a school in the Netherlands, Hermann Wesselink College, and Jerudong School in Brunei.

Please get in touch if you are planning to talk about Stoicism with your students!

We’ve prepared some resources which could be used for in-class discussion:

Epictetus Discussion Pack: Three Extracts from Epictetus with Suggested Questions for In-Class Discussion

In this post, you can find full record of the discussion by academics and psychotherapists held at the University of Exeter (5th-6th October). You will find many ideas on ways to take Stoicism forward. Read, react and add your own suggestions!